For most of the past thousand years much of this area has been lived in by people who could afford considerable style. The last fifty years has probably seen far more concern to protect 'historic' sites and buildings than any previous period. For some eight hundred years the major protection for what was there seems to have been an attitude of parsimonious make-do and mend rather than a desire to preserve. Probably the Victorian's self confidence or arrogance, take your pick, associated with their success in growing the London conurbation as never before saw the destruction of the majority of the 'Past Buildings' of note. This is probably not the place to say ‘Take your pick.’